Thursday, January 31, 2013

ACT OUT OPENING: Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan #BroadwayinChicago



ChiIL Mama, Sagezilla and Du-Jay will be reviewing Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan at press night TONIGHT.   The show just opened last night at the Cadillac Palace Theater and is in town until Feburary 10th.   

As a USAG competitive gymnast, my daughter, Sage, is particularly stoked to see the gymnast who wouldn't grow up play the boy who wouldn't grow up!   Talk about cool grandmas....Cathy Rigby rocks.   I'm so inspired.   This woman has 4 kids and 4 grandkids and she's still queen of the aerial arts and engaging in nightly stage combat with pirates.   So what's YOUR excuse?!

Tony Award nominee Cathy Rigby takes flight in an all new production of Peter Pan! Discover the magic all over again of this two time Emmy award winning and two time Tony award nominated production.

The New York Times says "Rigby still carries off the flights, fights and acrobatics that make Peter Pan audiences mesmerized". Peter Pan is filled with timeless magical moments and a captivating hook. The legend you thought you knew, is now the adventure you never dreamed possible... Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan.

Dates
Opening night: 30 January 2013
Booking through until: 10 February 2013

Cathy Rigby

(Peter Pan)  During her gymnastics career, Cathy won numerous international medals- including eight gold- and in 1998, she was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. When Cathy retired from the sport, she joined ABC Sports for 18 years, providing expert commentary on the sport of gymnastics around the world. During this time, ABC's venerable Wide World of Sports named her one of "America's Most Influential Women in Sports." After seven years of intense vocal and theatrical training, she embarked on a new career in performing arts. National and regional tour credits include: Annie Get Your Gun, Meet Me In St. Louis, South Pacific, Paint Your Wagon, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Silvia, and Steel Magnolias. On Broadway, she starred as the title role in Peter Pan in 1991 and 1998, and in Seussical the Musical as Cat-In-The-Hat in 2002. Cathy has been honored with the National Broadway Theatre Award, "Ovation" Lifetime Achievement Award (the West Coast version of a "Tony") and the 2004 Distinguished Lifetime Service Award from The League of American Theatres and Producers. In 1991, Cathy was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical when she starred in the 35th Anniversary production of Peter Pan on Broadway. In addition to multiple Tony nominations, Peter Pan also garnered several Emmy nominations, and a win, when A&E filmed the show for television broadcast in 2001. She recently finished filming An American Girl: McKenna Shoots for the Stars, which was released in July 2012. Cathy and her husband, Tom McCoy, are Executive Producers of the McCoy Rigby Entertainment Series at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts in La Mirada, California. They have successfully produced 18 seasons, and have launched several national touring productions including: Jekyll & Hyde, Jesus Christ Superstar, Peter Pan, Camelot and Happy Days, the Musical. The McCoy Rigby Conservatory of the Arts in Yorba Linda, California provides students with an opportunity to find their creative outlet, whether it be acting, dancing, singing, art or playwriting. 

She is very passionate about, and involved in two charities- Discovery Arts (www.discoveryarts.com) and her Non Profit, McCoy Rigby Arts (www.mccoyrigbyarts.com). 

After two Olympics, 18 years as a sports commentator, a successful entertainment career, 4 kids, 4 grandkids and 30 years of marriage to the same man, Cathy spends much of her spare time as a motivational speaker on the topics of nutrition & wellness, and The Art of Reinventing Yourself.

KINDIE LAND: WIN FREE Chicago Tickets From Romeo to Grave Digger #Giveaways


Proud press sponsor--Beat Kitchen's Concerts for Kids 2011-2013


Hey Chi, IL--ChiIL out with ChiIL Mama this winter.   Here are our sweet, new family 4 pack ticket giveaways for the end of January and beyond.   Enter like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often!   We never spam or share your info and we announce new free ticket winners weekly.   Rock out with family friendly fun, live music, local theatre and more.   It's easy to enter and winning ROCKS!






Here are all our Chicago Ticket Giveaways in one place.   

Click the links below to enter any or all.  We're giving away 4 free tickets to each event!



*All February Beat Kitchen's Concerts for Kids  New winners announced every Friday.  Open for entries through midnight every Thursday.



*Rock & Pop Circus 2pm 2/2 open for entries through midnight 1/31.


  *Monster Truck Jam   Enter through midnight 2/4.



*Justin Roberts-Old Town February 9th at 11am & 2pm  open for entries through midnight 2/5.





*All Baby Loves Disco Shows(Chicago) 2/23, 4/13, 5/11  Open for entry through midnight the Wednesday before each event.





*Gustafer Yellowgold & Brunch for Four at Schubas! open for entries through midnight 2/19.



*All Wilmette Theatre Kids' Shows
**Feb/March  
(Open for entries through midnight the Thursday before each show.  New winners announced Friday.)




*Short Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet (recommended for ages 10+)  Enter through midnight 2/19.

We have high brow...low brow and unibrow entertainment.


Remember to check back with ChiIL Mama (two ii's...one L...all fun in Chi, IL and beyond).   Also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube & Google + to be the first to know about nationwide giveaways, Chicago shows, and more.


ChiiL out with ChiIL Mama!

WIN TICKETS: Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam Chicago#chimonsterjam #photofeature



ChiIL Mama's Show Shots from Monster Jam opening night at Allstate Arena 2012




ChiIL Mama digs Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam.   It's become a rockin', annual family tradition of ours and they'll be rolling into town again for a car crushing good time at Allstate Arena on Feb. 8-10.    



We'll be reviewing opening night and we'll have another sweet photo & video filled feature for you soon.   But NOTHING compares to being there.   So go already.




ChiIL Out With ChiIL Mama-Win 4 Free Tickets:
Enter below by clicking on the Rafflecopter link for your chance to win 4 FREE tickets to opening night 2/8 at 7:30!   Enter through midnight 2/4.   Winner will be posted here & notified by e-mail.   

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monster Jam is a car crushin', dirt throwin', tire spinnin', truck jumpin' fun for all. 






We're particular fans of Chi-town's own George Balhan, Mohawk Warrior driver & dad!

George Balhan: I spend a lot of time with my kids. We’re gone so much that when I’m home I just like to hang out with them. My kids ride dirt bikes now; so when I’m around we’ll go dirt bike riding. Other than that, I enjoy hanging out and doing normal family things.  (Monsterjam.com)





Monster Jam stars the biggest performers on four wheels and they're coming for YOU.  Come celebrate Monster Jam’s 30th anniversary of Grave Digger! 










Discount Code:All our readers are winners.   ChiIL Mama's readers save 33% on adult tickets to all shows Feb. 9-10 with code MOM*.Kids tickets are always just $10.


*Offer Not valid on opening night. Discount does not apply to VIP or Gold Circle seats. No double discounts. Service charges, handling, and facility fees may apply. 


PARTY IN THE PITS! 
Saturday and Sunday 11am-1pm Pit passes available for $10 through the Allstate Arena Box Office and Ticketmaster while supplies last. (A Saturday, Feb. 9 2pm or Sunday, Feb. 10, 2pm event ticket along with Pit Pass are required for entry.)

ChiIL Tips:
Advanced tickets save $2 over day of show, so buy your tickets now!  
Pit Passes are limited get those in advance or you may miss out.   MonsterJam.com has 3 Advance Auto Parts truck display locations listed where you check 'em out the Thursday before the show.  Got decent seats?!  Ear protection highly recommended for all and necessary for kids.   They do sell over the ear, muff style earplugs for the kids there that look like Monster truck tires. Cute for the littles, but I'm not sure how much sound they block.  


As we wrote last year...helpful hint:   Bring ear protection.   Eh, what was that?    I said, you'll be regretting not throwing in earplugs for everyone.   What?! I can't hear you over the deafening roar of those powerful truck engines.   I SAID....BRING EARPLUGS!  YOU CAN BUY SOME FUN TIRE SHAPED ONES ON SITE FOR $20, BUT IF YOU'D RATHER SPEND THE CASH ON A COOL SHIRT YOU CAN WEAR MORE OFTEN OR A CREEPY SNO CONE CUP, THEN BRING YOUR OWN EARPLUGS.


Disclaimer:  Thanks to FELD and Monster Jam for providing tickets for our giveaway and review purposes.     

Check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.   We'll have new, original Monster Jam video footage, fun facts and more leading up to the 2013 Allstate dates.



Wednesday, January 30, 2013

PHOTO RECAP & TICKET DISCOUNT: Disney on Ice Rockin' Ever After #ChiDisneyonIce



The whole family had a rockin' awesome time at Disney on Ice Rockin' Ever After.  We caught opening night at Allstate Arena and even got to meet the man...erm, Mouse, himself, at a special, blogger meet n greet before the show!  




It was an evening of mice and men...twins and triplets...mighty princesses, and colorful Disney favorites.   



Du-Jay & Sagezilla brought a couple twin school friends, Sabrina & Brianna and all the kids were thrilled with the special swag bags which included a program, coloring book, and Belle figure.



It's so refreshing that the last 2 Disney princesses have been great role models.   Merida and Rapunzel are girls of action who are strong AND beautiful.   My daughter loves archery and adventures far above waiting around for rescue by Prince Charming.





We were thrilled to see Rapunzel back with her witch of a mother and lovable bad boy, Flynn Rider. 










Then there's my personal Tangled fav...Maximus the horse!












The birthday lanterns were stunning!



Ariel and the whole black light Little Mermaid scenes were gorgeous.



We also adore bookish Belle who values creative intelligence over muscle bound arrogance.







Sometimes the girls are strong and the boys are pretty.   We got a kick out of this particular pretty boy who was rockin' the Minnie ears and selling loads of swag.   He was workin' it....and appeared to be having the most fun of any of the vendors.   



Speaking of strong girls...  The whole show was enjoyable, but we particularly adored the 2nd act and the new acts featuring Merida and the characters from Brave!





 





When I saw Donald with the camera around his neck all I could think of were those Facebook cards.....What my family thinks I do.....




If you haven't gone yet, get your tickets already.  This show rocks!   Opening night at United Center is TONIGHT.   Then they'll just be in the Chicago area through February 10th.   We've announced our 6 ticket giveaway winner already, but ChiIL Mama's readers can use the discount code MOM to save 40% on weekday and 20% on weekend shows!



Disney knows how to make a magical, memorable night.   Add a little sparkle to your winter and chiIL out at Rockin' Ever After.  

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